| people are perfectly fit and without injury. There | | | | only have two preset positions: reclining and a lift |
| are people who have had accidents that may | | | | position (standing). The design does not allow it to |
| have damaged some part of their backs or lower | | | | be reclined for sleeping and the position of the |
| body and may have trouble getting on and off a | | | | user's back and thighs would usually stay at |
| chair. There are also the elderly and those who | | | | around 90 degrees. A three-position lift chair |
| have become feeble and physically weak. Since | | | | allows up to a 135 degrees reclining position so it |
| man will always find ways on how to adapt to | | | | may be used for sleeping. The three positions are |
| such issues, the concept of a movable chair that | | | | straight, reclined, and standing. An infinite-position |
| would allow the elderly or those with disabilities to | | | | lift chair can be positioned in an infinite number of |
| easily get on and off. | | | | ways and can be reclined to a fully flat position |
| Lift chairs are designed for people with difficulties | | | | with a back and leg that allows independent |
| in getting into and out of a chair. Most lift chairs | | | | movement. |
| have an electric motor that quietly provides a | | | | Lift chairs, however, are not without flaws. The |
| smooth transition from reclining to standing | | | | mechanism that allows the lifting motion of the |
| position. Some manufacturers like Berkline | | | | chairs can be hazardous, and even fatal. The |
| furniture has even included the design features of | | | | vice-like grip of the frame and motor can trap |
| recliners into lift chairs allowing people to | | | | and crush an unsuspecting child or pet. In 1994, |
| experience the comfort of recliners and the ease | | | | the head of a one-year old boy was killed when |
| of getting on and off the chair. Berkline easy lift | | | | his older sister tried to operate the mechanism |
| chairs are designed with comfort in mind and | | | | effectively trapping the boy's head between the |
| have features and options that make them more | | | | upholstery and the steel frame. An 8-year old |
| comfortable and convenient. Features, such as | | | | named Lea Entwistle was also trapped under his |
| PowerRecline, allow the user to recline to any | | | | grandmother's orthopedic chair. The result was |
| position. Space-saving features like the Wallaway | | | | the issuance of a product safety standard, BS |
| design feature allows the chair to recline with only | | | | 8474, which is "designed to cover the strength, |
| inches of wall clearance making it ideal for saving | | | | durability and stability of electrically operated |
| space and allowing greater decorating flexibility in | | | | reclining chairs, and rise/recliners for domestic and |
| your home. | | | | non-domestic applications." Up to now, only a few |
| Most lift chairs are designed to handle weights of | | | | manufacturers have tried to meet the standard, |
| up to 400 pounds, though some can take up to | | | | despite the possibility of a jail sentence for the |
| 700. There are different types of lift chairs as | | | | non compliant manufacturer should an accident |
| well. Two-position lift chairs like the name implies | | | | occurs. |